week 5

Question 1

Ontology

Answer 1

A branch of philosophy that is concerned with the assumptions we make about the nature of being, existence reality
assumptions- about the nature of reality is one of the core aspects of qualitative research, Shape research methods

Question 2

Epistemology

Answer 2

A branch of philosophy that is concerned with questions about what constitutes valid knowledge and how we can obtain it-in other words, questions about how we can know and what we can know

Question 3

Realism

Answer 3

Reality exists independent of the human mind and can be accessed through research.

Question 4

Positivism / Post-positivism

Answer 4

A researcher can have confidence that in their understanding of reality if their research methods are objective and rigorous.

Question 5

Relativism

Answer 5

“Reality” is dependent on the ways we come to know it.

Question 6

Interpretivism, constructionism, constructivism etc.

Answer 6

Findings should be treated as versions of reality, as reality is dependent on how we come to know it.

Question 7

Reflectivity

Answer 7

Acknowledgement by the researcher of the role played by their interpretative frameworks or speaking position

Question 8

Personal reflexivity

Answer 8

The way in which the research is shaped by the research is shaped by the researcher’s own background, identities, interests, views

Question 9

Discursive reflexivity

Answer 9

Detailed attention to the role of the researcher in the research process

Question 10

Epistemological reflexivity

Answer 10

The way in which the research is shaped by theoretical assumptions, research questions, methods of data collection

Question 11

Generated or produced

Answer 11

Data is produced for research purposes

Question 12

Collected or selected

Answer 12

Data is selected for research purposes

Question 13

Data management

Answer 13

Qualitative data is voluminous
A clear data management plan is essential and should be decided when developing a study

Question 14

Who transcribes the interview

Answer 14

The researcher- more immersed in the data and was present during the interview
However it is time consuming and not always feasible

Question 15

Who transcribes the interview

Answer 15

Software or AI generated transcripts quick but are not always accurate and can struggle with accents
These are from an automated transcript from a research project meeting- without having prior understanding

Question 16

Transcription

Answer 16

Ethical dilemma: how will you depict and represent what your participant is saying
A transcript is a textual representation of the data
Transcription involves interpretation by the transcriber and making subjective decisions

Question 17

Types of transcription

Answer 17

Playscript or orthographic transcript: Focus on content and meaning, easily readable to the uninitiated. Orthographic representation, standard spelling and punctuation. Limited transcription of paralinguistic and extra linguistic features

Jeffersonian: Focus on active language use, difficult to read at first, uses non-orthographic representation, lots of paralinguistic detail. Limited extra-linguistic features

Question 18

Jeffersonian Transcription

Answer 18

Developed by Gail Jefferson in the 1960s for conversation analysis
Transcribing conventions used to render naturally occurring talk-in-interaction

Question 19

Playscript or orthographic transcript

Answer 19

Orthographic transcripts are verbatim: word of word
Important to check the audio and your transcript: Omission, wrong punctuations, and mis-hearing words can change what was said and the potential meaning behind what was said
Each speakers should be identified: For participants-pseudonym-not actual name
For interviewer/ researcher-labelled by their role
New line for each turn of talk

Question 20

All transcription takes time

Answer 20

Transcription takes a long time to do
The quality of the audio will determine how long it takes
Do not be tempted to rush

Question 21

Theoretical issues when transcribing

Answer 21

Different perspectives on the transcription process: Transcription is a voice-to-text process with strict procedures to ensure accuracy. Transcription is a straightforward task, and a verbatim transcript provides an accurate representation of the interview
Transcripts are constructed by the researcher and is an interactive process

Question 22

Ethics and transcription confidentiality

Answer 22

British Psychological society
You must make every effort to preserve confidentiality.
This will involve changing participants names and the names of people mentioned in the data.
Pseudonyms (fake names) can be used.

Question 23

Personal data

Answer 23

Data which relate to a living individual who can be identified from those data. Data about the individual possessed by the researcher
Sensitive personal data:
Race, ethnic origin, political opinions and more

Question 24

Pseudonymised data still personal data

Answer 24

Pseudonymised data replaces or removes identifiable data from a data-set about an individual.
Pseudonymised data is a security measure to help protect a participant’s identity.
You must ensure participants are not re-identified from the data

Question 25

Process of anonymising and pseudonymising qualitative data

Answer 25

Audio and video recording can be anonymised: Delete names and other personal information from recordings, change the pitch of participants’ voices. Blur faces and use filters

Question 26

Process of anonymising and pseudonymising qualitative data

Answer 26

Anonymising transcripts
Replace names and other personal information with equivalent pseudonyms or descriptions
Aim for equivalent forms
Ben → Ted (same number of syllables, gender, first name)
Ben → Mary
Use a name generator

Question 27

Cumulative nature of information

Answer 27

You should think about identifiable information – this information is cumulative.
Deciding whether it is necessary to change or redact such information involves asking the following questions:
Could the participant be identifiable to others reading this research?
Is this information relevant and important for the research question?
If you are going to be using specific information, it is important the participant is aware of this in the information sheet and informed consent is provided.

Question 28

Cumulative nature of information

Answer 28

You must ensure that it is not possible for someone to re-identify a participant.
You should think about identifiable information – this information is cumulative.
For example, if I were to participate in an interview about experiences of lecturers in the UK, certain information may help others re-identify me from the data.

Question 29

Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS)

Answer 29

Sophisticated computer programmes to facilitate qualitative research
Managing and organising the large volumes of data
Supporting you to do the analysis (depending on the method – not always suitable!)
Some software can facilitate transcription too!
A popular example: Nvivo
Do I need to use software to do the analysis?

Question 30

What is NVivo

Answer 30

Helps to organise your data
A way to store everything securely in one place
Assists in coding
Assists in analysis
Provides features such as wordcloud, visual maps
You are still responsible for analysing the data.

Question 31

Personal reflections on using NVivo

Answer 31

Pros.
Nvivo can help keep large volumes of data organised.
Depending on the analysis Nvivo can make the process easier and faster.
Nvivo has analytic tools and approaches to easily visualise the data.
Easy to identify quotes and data extracts.
Overall, a very useful tool to assist qualitative research.

Cons.
You need to learn how to use the software which can take time.
Nvivo is not free (but most universities have a subscription).
Need access to Nvivo to access your analysis.
If there is a lot of data, Nvivo can freeze (does not automatically save…)